Tag Archives: Communication

Understanding how to bridge the divide between interpersonal intelligence and right fighting (and find self esteem in the process)!

pic by Renee Lindstrom

This heart was created spontaneously when I shifted my focus of attention towards my upcoming 2017 communication workshops.  One of my first steps in starting classes in a new year for Think Speak Act and Removing Obstacles to Love (both based on Nonviolent Communication) is to stop and check in to sense inwardly my connection to where I am at and what focus is important to draw the learners attention to. Being  equally dominate kinesthetically and visually, this check in involves sensations (feelings) and images that then go through a process to become a teaching language.  Unlike traditional styles of teaching that have an inflexible structure that restricts the spontaneity a tactile or visual learner needs, the intention of these workshops is to create more balance and understanding between old school doctrine and new age agility training.

Not experiencing education that accommodated my style of learning, finding Dr. Marshal Rosenberg was a huge gift for me to overcome the obstacles of disconnection.  I longed for a bridge to enable me to be who I was on the inside with others in the world I lived in who processed in a mindset of right and wrong.  The difference for me between those with tactile and visual sensibilities and those of a right and wrong thinker is interpersonal intelligence. This is ones ability for effective verbal and nonverbal communication and to note distinctions among others, to have sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives.

Thankfully, I discovered this way of communicating as I had children who have my learning styles!

Typically in the past this heart may have had shades of  grey, however, as this practice deepens it is becoming more expressive and vibrant. I am discovering that to be an effective listener,  and to express with confidence and self-esteem that leads to honesty, it is best if one has a deep love for oneself .  Marshall has given me the practice tools to discover how all our differences are gifts to a relationship.  I hope you will join one of my upcoming classes to discover this within yourself!

New babies are borne to be loved in a way that is reflected back by their parents.  One expression of this is when they look into their parents eyes they see mirrored back to them the unconditional love they express in their own eyes when looking at their parents.  However, as we are fitting our life puzzle pieces together, life jostles us around and unconditional love may not be the expressions we see reflected back.  If one has not experienced it, they cannot mirror it.  This form of communication can support you to explore and experience this within yourself.  It will empower you to begin to mirror this back to others in a safe way that is appropriate for the circumstances.  If you have a child you may be more open and vulnerable that with a shop keeper!  If you have a lover you may be more intimate than with your boss or fellow employee.  It is a wonderful skill to begin to have more clarity in all your relationships.  It begins with checking in first to connect to your intention followed by skill development.

Read more on upcoming Communication Workshops

Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder – 2014 & 2015

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Receiving the pain of humanity one conversation at a time!

Listening Spiral Inward

Listening Spiral Inward

Last night I was asked about the emotion in my eyes in an empathy coaching session the previous day.  I couldn’t remember the specific incident, however, I knew the depth of caring alive in me from witnessing the results of some very destructive communication and manipulative behaviour to get ones needs met at any cost.

It brought back a memory of being in an empathy healing session with  Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, author and creator of Nonviolent Communication.  As our session deepened I observed a pool of pain in his eyes that could only be a result of his pain for humanity. In Buddhist teaching this eye contact was much different.  The reflection in Buddhist Rinpoches that I have experienced are compassionate without the depth of pain Marshall’s had.

Considering this, I am comparing that Marshall’s empathy program is unencumbered and simple.  It takes one inward towards the root cause of the experience and to one’s integrity while the Buddhist practice and talks are based upon;  learning mindful meditation, spiritual dogma, faith, devotion  and  a focus on examples using storytelling of the past to pass knowledge and discernment on. I have found with Marshall’s integration you can focus your attention and go to the center, while in Buddhism integration isn’t so direct.  I believe all Rinpoches have compassion and  I know their devotion to humanity is tremendous.  Each day they give reverence to those who crossed their path that day before retiring.

From this above personal experience I believe empathy is intimate, vulnerable, connected to the immediate experience and identifies the individual needs while compassion is  a fuller experience and not directly  connected to the immediate needs.  I experience empathy to lead to compassion.


Check out upcoming workshops or book  your own personal movement or empathy coaching session


Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
 Authored  Achieving your Goals  31 Day Program, Sleep Sweet Sleep, Kid’s Peace Bus Calendar of Values  Educational Program & InTouch with Your Values Self-Actualization Program.Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000, Labyrinths of Victoria since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Grassroots Calendar Founder, Vice-Chair of World Children’s Summit on Peace & Nature in 2015

 

 

Triggered? Let’s call it what it is!

fear-198933__180

Flight, Fright or Fight

Two powerful teachable moments yesterday in two separate workshops:

Movement:
  • shoulders response to flight, fright or fight
Communication:
  • hesitating to speak honestly on speculation of the other persons fear reaction and pointing out what is actually stopping one from being honest is their own fear?
Read more on flight, fight, freeze

Check out upcoming workshops or book  your own personal movement or empathy coaching session


Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
 Authored  Achieving your Goals  31 Day Program, Sleep Sweet Sleep, Kid’s Peace Bus Calendar of Values  Educational Program & InTouch with Your Values Self-Actualization Program.Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000, Labyrinths of Victoria since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Grassroots Calendar Founder, Vice-Chair of World Children’s Summit on Peace & Nature in 2015

16 Reasons why to  explore Body, Mind & Heart Connection @ Inside Awareness?

INTEGRATION, LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

  1. Experience a deeper connection to self .
  2. Increase self-value and trust in yourself, knowing you are doing what’s right for you.
  3. Connect to your boundaries and learn how to voice them in a safe  way without conflict!  
  4. Stop compromising.  
  5. Learn how to have  choice.
  6. Improve your posture! Walk, sit, stand, sleep, breathe, think and feel better.
  7. Increase your understanding of your self image and how it is holding your back from success!
  8. Stop feeling alone & lonely?
  9. Turn abusive relationships into empowering experiences!
  10. Stop doubting yourself when it comes to decision making.  
  11. Learn how to transition from taking things personally by developing skills to translate difficult messages.
  12. Move through fear to build relationships and find love.
  13. Understand how to resolve differences.
  14. Improve your odds of finding partnerships where you are  valued.
  15. Ending your relationships with more ease, respect and  moving forward with less attachment!
  16. Becoming aware of the culture created  by your parenting style (or your parents and their’s before them).

Read more about Inside Awareness


Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder – 2014 & 2015

Did you know that it is easier to smile than it is to frown?  

Try it!

Happy, sad

  • Check out the muscles in your face as you smile and as you frown.
  • Notice the different experience of the two.  One is uplifting and one is draining.
  • Which posture is familiar to you?
  • Look in a mirror  to see if you are smiling because if your little self only frowned growing up, you will think you are smiling but others will see a frown!

Now from a somatic perspective smile and frown again, however, notice your inner sensations.

  • Which one creates and expands breathe and which one makes it difficult to breathe?
  • Which one lifts your spirits up and brings you into a more upright posture and which one drops your spirit with your body sinking or collapsing?
  • Now imagine facing this smile and this frown in conversation and  how you would interpret it and react to it.

Now practice smiling and frowning at others and notice their reactions.

Emotions in self:

Exercise and develop face muscles and behavior!

Emotions in communication:

Develop connection or disconnection!

Emotions in environment:

Create a cultural experience!


At Inside our focus is on self-awareness and empowerment through somatic learning to nurture deeper intelligence of  when one is in a state of  connected (being presence) or disconnected (fight, flight or fight) by understanding cause of ones own reactions.  Pivotal point of re-balancing.  This includes perception, movement posture,  sensations (sometimes called emotions) and environmental causes.

Connect to learn how you can book privately to discuss your needs or learn about workshops you can take!  


Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder – 2014 & 2015

 

 

 

Evaluative Experience Words, not Feelings

 

Betrayed

Word map of feeling words mixed together with evaluative experience words & value words sometimes mixed up in sentences as words that one feels 

At  Speaking Peace workshops we introduce words that are sometimes mistaken as feelings.  These words are actually evaluative experiences that are added in our statements after the words, “I feel…..,”  or “I felt….” Our workshop exercise is to identify the true emotion and consider the unmet need creating these feelings.

An example is the word betrayed.  I feel betrayed is an incorrect use as betrayed is not a feeling.   It describes an experience.  The feelings one might feel may be hurt, downhearted, wretched, devastated, discourages, lonely and more (see photo above for more).

Once true feelings are named our speaking peace process is to look at the unmet value needs that make be causing these feelings. These could be the need for:  respect, honesty, consideration, to matter, trust, support and more (see photo for more).

Consider our Speaking Peace courses and workshop!  Learn more about how to connect with more clarity, understanding and empathy!

 

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by Renee Lindstrom

Awareness Through Living Mentoring Programs Available:

1st Level – Getting Started (Introduction & Pattern)
 2nd Level – Getting Intouch (Experiencing & Connection)
 3rd Level – Integration (Embodiment)

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP @ Inside Awareness,  Living in Natures Love Blog
Renee Lindstrom Live
Copyright 2007 – 2020 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP

The Month of Romance and Love: #13 of 14 Tips for finding better love

by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP @ Inside Awareness
Day 13: Positive personalities are most attractive

There are concrete studies that show people with positive personalities are seen as more attractive and more physically appealing than those who are rude, negative and unfair. Is your glass half-full or half-empty?

Love Day 13Today’s Tip:  Explore your own inner messaging patterns.  Do you beat yourself and others up? Imagine how attractive this is to others and commit to change through creative self-development!   Begin your practice now!

“Supply is infinite, but there must be receptivity.  We can have all the supplies we will give.  But that is where the barrier is–the unwillingness to give.  That is where the lack or limitation is.”
Joel Goldsmith


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Copyright 2025 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication Relationship & Life Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder – 2014 & 2015